Result: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Wisla Krakow
With Tottenham Hotspur looking for a spark after a very disappointing start in the Premier League, a change in mood looked likely, with this match, the first of Tottenham's UEFA Cup campaign.
Spurs started the brightest, with Gomes in goal, a back four that welcomed back club captain, Ledley King, who partnered Jonathan Woodgate, with both centre-halves accompanied by two Welsh Internationals in Gunter and Bale.
In midfield, Zokora and Jenas provided the defensive cover for Bentley, who started on the right-wing for the first time in his competitive Spurs career, with Lennon, starting.
Wisla Krakow, who won the Polish easily last season, played played the first half out like the champions they are. The team, marshalled by 36 year-old manager, Maciej Skorża, set out their stool and stood their ground, making it difficult for Tottenham to attack them. Skorża obviously commanded his team to hit Spurs on the break, and they did that fairly efficiently, carving out a good few opportunities for themselves.
Having had most of the possession in the first half, Tottenham's Lennon sprinted away down the left flank, brilliantly cut-in and passed to an unmarked David Bentley, who had the time to guide the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal on 33 minutes, opening his goal-scoring account with Spurs since his £15 million move from Blackburn Rovers.
Immediately though, Krakow, straight from the kick-off, paraded down the Tottenham right, passing and moving like most Spurs fans expect their side to be doing, before a classy move saw Tomas Jirsak tuck the ball passed Gomes on 34 minutes.
The second half started off just as the first half ended, with both teams on the attack. Spurs put the ball into the net after a brilliant move involving Bale, Jenas, and Bent, but unfortunately, the goal was ruled offside.
On 56 minutes, Ramos commenced his changes, bringing on new loan signee Frazier Campbell on for Aaron Lennon, and Jamie O'Hara on for Chris Gunter. Shuffling the pack around, Zokora moved into Gunter's right back position, while O'Hara stepped into the central midfield hole left by Zokora. Frazier Campbell went straight up front to partner Bent, with Ramos ordering Giovani to occupy the left wing.
On 70 minutes, Ramos made his third and final change, bringing Assou-Ekotto on for Giovani. Assou-Ekotto slotted in at left back, allowing Bale to push further up the left flank.
Frazier Campbell got the better of his two markers, looked up and crossed the ball in from the right. His cross was brilliantly met by the rising Darren Bent, who excellently powered his header into the roof of the net on 74 minutes.
Again on 77 minutes, Spurs poured forward and nearly scored from Bale's shot, which was palmed away by the superb Krakow keeper.
In conclusion, Tottenham played well, but not superbly. I fully believe Ramos and Poyet when they say that this team needs time to gel. Most of the players still aren't on the same wavelength at the moment, and so we all have to remain patient.
David Bentley, although scoring the goal, clearly doesn't look fully match fit at the moment. I do believe that once the team has settled into its rhythm, we will climb the league table.
All of us though, must remain patient. Next up, Wigan at home on Sunday.
Spurs started the brightest, with Gomes in goal, a back four that welcomed back club captain, Ledley King, who partnered Jonathan Woodgate, with both centre-halves accompanied by two Welsh Internationals in Gunter and Bale.
In midfield, Zokora and Jenas provided the defensive cover for Bentley, who started on the right-wing for the first time in his competitive Spurs career, with Lennon, starting.
Wisla Krakow, who won the Polish easily last season, played played the first half out like the champions they are. The team, marshalled by 36 year-old manager, Maciej Skorża, set out their stool and stood their ground, making it difficult for Tottenham to attack them. Skorża obviously commanded his team to hit Spurs on the break, and they did that fairly efficiently, carving out a good few opportunities for themselves.
Having had most of the possession in the first half, Tottenham's Lennon sprinted away down the left flank, brilliantly cut-in and passed to an unmarked David Bentley, who had the time to guide the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal on 33 minutes, opening his goal-scoring account with Spurs since his £15 million move from Blackburn Rovers.
Immediately though, Krakow, straight from the kick-off, paraded down the Tottenham right, passing and moving like most Spurs fans expect their side to be doing, before a classy move saw Tomas Jirsak tuck the ball passed Gomes on 34 minutes.
The second half started off just as the first half ended, with both teams on the attack. Spurs put the ball into the net after a brilliant move involving Bale, Jenas, and Bent, but unfortunately, the goal was ruled offside.
On 56 minutes, Ramos commenced his changes, bringing on new loan signee Frazier Campbell on for Aaron Lennon, and Jamie O'Hara on for Chris Gunter. Shuffling the pack around, Zokora moved into Gunter's right back position, while O'Hara stepped into the central midfield hole left by Zokora. Frazier Campbell went straight up front to partner Bent, with Ramos ordering Giovani to occupy the left wing.
On 70 minutes, Ramos made his third and final change, bringing Assou-Ekotto on for Giovani. Assou-Ekotto slotted in at left back, allowing Bale to push further up the left flank.
Frazier Campbell got the better of his two markers, looked up and crossed the ball in from the right. His cross was brilliantly met by the rising Darren Bent, who excellently powered his header into the roof of the net on 74 minutes.
Again on 77 minutes, Spurs poured forward and nearly scored from Bale's shot, which was palmed away by the superb Krakow keeper.
In conclusion, Tottenham played well, but not superbly. I fully believe Ramos and Poyet when they say that this team needs time to gel. Most of the players still aren't on the same wavelength at the moment, and so we all have to remain patient.
David Bentley, although scoring the goal, clearly doesn't look fully match fit at the moment. I do believe that once the team has settled into its rhythm, we will climb the league table.
All of us though, must remain patient. Next up, Wigan at home on Sunday.
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